AGP Executive Report

Meta Trial in Oakland: A coalition of 29 states goes to court Tuesday against Facebook/Instagram parent Meta, accusing it of designing addictive features for kids and teens and misleading families. Plaintiffs are seeking up to $1.4 trillion and court orders that could force major redesigns. New Mexico Link: The case follows a recent New Mexico ruling against Meta, and New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez is pushing new online safety bills as the national fight ramps up. DEA Fentanyl Scrutiny: In Albuquerque, a DOJ inspector general review is set to examine DEA fentanyl investigation policies, with special focus on New Mexico and how disputes over whether to seize drugs were handled. Colorado River Alarm: Lake Powell hit a record low, threatening water and hydroelectric power across the Southwest. Local Business: Nob Hill’s Waffletopia is closing after more than a decade, citing health issues and a tough economy. Community Updates: Rio Rancho approved two new childcare projects, and Las Cruces awarded a contract for management of the Amador Crossing affordable housing complex.

Meta Youth-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund, calling Facebook/Instagram a “public nuisance” and directing $420 million for treatment plus prevention efforts; the order also mandates tighter controls for users under 13, including deleting accounts and limiting push notifications. Federal Court Showdown: Meta now faces a major youth-addiction trial in Oakland starting Tuesday, with states seeking up to $1.4 trillion and pushing for sweeping changes to Instagram and Facebook. Heat and Health: With scorching summer conditions, New Mexico is seeing a spike in heat-related emergency room visits, and advocates point to households without working air conditioning. Public Safety Tech: Sandia National Laboratories completed a full-scale crash test for its Mobile Guardian Transporter, designed to keep secure nuclear materials safe in road accidents. Food Safety: FDA upgraded a nearly 19 million egg Salmonella recall to its highest-risk Class I level, with shipments reaching New Mexico. Local Business: Albuquerque is set to welcome Windy City Pizzeria, bringing Chicago-style deep dish and tavern-style pies to Louisiana NE.

Meta Child-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund, calling Facebook/Instagram/WhatsApp a “public nuisance” and directing changes like deleting accounts under 13 and limiting minors’ notifications and visible “likes.” Colorado River Crisis: Lake Powell hit a record low, dropping to 3,519.91 feet—just shy of the level where hydropower turbines would stop—after Lake Mead also fell to historic lows, raising alarms for water and electricity across the Southwest, including New Mexico. Local Health Funding: New Mexico approved $40M to rebuild rural behavioral health services, with a state committee signing off on five regional plans and aiming to clear the rest by year’s end. UNM-Los Alamos Leadership: UNM-Los Alamos Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw will end his term June 30, 2027. Public Safety: Police say a 14-year-old planned to livestream a shooting threat at Santa Rosa Middle School; investigators found firearms tied to the case. Downtown ABQ: Downtown Albuquerque launched three new walking tours highlighting historic buildings, public art and galleries.

Meta Youth Lawsuit in New Mexico: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund, calling the company a “public nuisance” and directing changes like deleting accounts under 13 and limiting minors’ notifications and visible likes. Big-Tech Regulation Push: A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds 61% of Americans want tighter social media rules, with 66% backing laws to keep kids under 16 off platforms—while many worry about how age checks could wrongly flag teens and create hackable “honeypots.” Colorado River Crisis: Lake Powell hit a record-low level, underscoring how the Southwest’s water system is sliding into “uncharted territory” as Lake Mead also strains. Local Governance & Public Safety: Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller laid out a “city abundance” agenda in his State of the City, tying public safety progress to plans to reduce barriers for residents. 2028 Democratic Primary Calendar: The DNC approved a new sequence with South Carolina first and New Mexico next, moving Iowa out of the early lineup. Environment & Wildlife: The Center for Biological Diversity sued over a Trump-era expanded grazing plan that could open up to 24 million acres and harm imperiled wildlife.

Meta Youth Harms Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund, calling the company a “public nuisance” and directing changes like deleting accounts under 13 and limiting minors’ push notifications. Democratic Primary Shakeup: The DNC approved the 2028 calendar with South Carolina first (Jan. 22), then Nevada (Feb. 1), New Hampshire (Feb. 8), New Mexico (Feb. 15), Michigan (Feb. 22) and Virginia (Feb. 29), pushing Iowa out of the early lineup. Local Politics: Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller used his State of the City address to argue for an “abundance agenda,” saying city government should reduce friction in residents’ daily lives. Public Safety: New Mexico State Police arrested a 14-year-old tied to a Santa Rosa Middle School threat, including firearms shown in Discord posts and a plan discussed for Aug. 10. Navajo Code Talkers Museum: After years of delays, the Navajo Code Talkers museum project cleared a major hurdle with nearly $20 million in state funding and a Dec. 1 groundbreaking at Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington.

Meta Youth Harm Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund, calling Facebook/Instagram/WhatsApp a “public nuisance” and directing changes like deleting accounts under 13 and limiting minors’ notifications. Egg Recall Update: The FDA upgraded a salmonella egg recall affecting about 19 million eggs to the highest-risk “Class I” level, tied to nearly 100 illnesses and dozens hospitalized, with eggs distributed across the Southwest including New Mexico. Public Health Alert: A New World screwworm outbreak has reached Texas and New Mexico, with USDA warning that larvae can infest wounds and cause serious harm; officials say the risk to the U.S. public remains low. Local Governance: The New Mexico Legislative Council selected Ethan Watson, Albuquerque city clerk, as director of the Legislative Council Service. Navajo Code Talkers Museum: Navajo Code Talker descendants criticize New Mexico’s plan for a scaled-down museum site, saying it’s an overstep and not what they envisioned. Energy & Environment: New Mexico proposed a rule to detect and curb methane leaks using third-party technologies like satellites and aircraft. Food Insecurity: SNAP cuts are leaving thousands of New Mexicans without food aid, with food banks reporting empty freezers.

Meta Youth Lawsuit Fallout: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund, calling Facebook/Instagram/WhatsApp a “public nuisance” and directing changes like deleting accounts under 13 and limiting minors’ notifications and visible likes. Big Tech vs. Data Centers: Oracle’s Project Jupiter in Doña Ana County faces a new delay as the Green Chile gas pipeline slips to Feb. 1, 2027 after the state land office denied the route twice. Energy & Environment: The New Mexico Environment Department proposed a rule to spot and fix major methane leaks faster using third-party tech like satellites and aircraft. Public Health Recalls: The FDA upgraded an egg recall to the highest risk level after salmonella sickened dozens; separate Walmart tomato bisque soup kits were recalled over possible listeria contamination. Local Politics: Bernalillo County Democrats picked former state Sen. Lisa Curtis to fill a House seat vacancy. Community & Culture: The Navajo Code Talker Museum project moved forward with nearly $20M in state funding for a tribally led museum in Farmington. Education & Safety: Albuquerque Public Schools installed 97 vape detectors in high schools using $500,000 from opioid settlement funds.

Meta Youth Lawsuit: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million for harms to children’s mental health, calling the platforms a “public nuisance” and requiring major teen-safety changes, as Meta says it will appeal. State vs. Big Tech: The ruling adds pressure as Meta also heads to federal court facing claims from 29 states over youth social media addiction, with opening arguments set for Aug. 18. New Mexico Early Childhood: The state’s early childhood department is accused in a whistleblower lawsuit of retaliation after two finance employees raised concerns about a $50–$60 million budget shortfall and improper fund moves. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a nearly 19.1 million-egg Salmonella recall to its highest risk level, with affected cartons sold in multiple states including New Mexico. Local Economy & Housing: Albuquerque launched a program to put nearly 200 unused city properties to use, while also expanding facilities for home-based childcare. Energy & Industry: Major U.S. oil firms are cutting shale spending, and USDA is planning a phased reopening of Mexican cattle imports as screwworm cases decline.

Big Tech in court: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million for harms tied to children’s mental health, calling the platforms a “public nuisance” and directing major teen-safety changes, including deleting accounts under 13 and tightening notifications. Local housing push: Albuquerque launched an “Available City Properties” program listing nearly 200 unused city parcels online to spur housing, business, and community projects. Food insecurity pressure: U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury met with Albuquerque’s Roadrunner Food Bank as SNAP cuts leave thousands of New Mexicans without aid, with nonprofits warning of cascading impacts. Privacy and surveillance: Flock Safety says it will tighten nationwide privacy rules for license plate cameras, including shorter default data retention and new auditing requirements. Water and land stakes: An advocate told lawmakers most oil-and-gas spill contamination in New Mexico is concentrated in San Juan County, near Chaco, as federal proposals face backlash. Wildfire smoke hits arts: Frijoles Fire smoke has disrupted Santa Fe events, including cancellations tied to dangerous air quality.

Landmark youth-safety ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund and labeled the company a “public nuisance,” adding specific teen protections like deleting accounts under 13 and limiting certain notifications during school hours. Big Tech faces broader fallout: The case is part of a wider wave of lawsuits over claims that social platforms harm minors, with Meta also facing a massive youth trial in California where states seek up to $1.4 trillion. Local governance and public safety: A legislative finance committee report says New Mexico National Guard deployments cost more than $22 million with “no clear” measurable impact on crime. Housing push in southern NM: Angel Fire approved 17 more workforce housing units and adopted its first updated comprehensive plan in nearly two decades. Energy and business: Bernhard Capital Partners completed its $1.25 billion acquisition of Albuquerque-based New Mexico Gas Company from Emera. Tech and identity risk: A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds two-thirds of Americans back age-verification laws for teens, even as critics warn verification data can become a target for hackers.

Youth Safety Lawsuit: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund and branded Facebook/Instagram a “public nuisance,” adding new teen controls; the case also pushes the state’s total exposure toward $942 million as Meta plans to appeal. Big Tech Fees: Reuters reports New Mexico’s DOJ-linked law firm Motley Rice could seek up to $67.1 million in legal fees tied to the payout size. CYFD Reform: Senate Republicans held a task force hearing on overhauling the state child welfare agency after a 17-year-old in custody described years of frequent school moves and placements; House Democrats also unveiled their own CYFD overhaul plans. Project Jupiter Backlash: Hundreds packed a Las Cruces town hall as residents pressed lawmakers over the Santa Teresa AI data center’s water, air and transparency concerns, with calls for safeguards and accountability. Local Governance: Santa Fe City Council weighs a $2 million drone expansion for faster police response, while residents raise privacy worries. Public Safety: A legislative finance review found National Guard deployments in Albuquerque/Española didn’t show clear crime impacts despite $22M+ in spending. Urban Resilience: Las Vegas adopted a post-fire urban forestry plan that pairs tree care with rainwater-harvesting and green stormwater ideas.

Meta youth-safety fight: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental-health fund and branded the company a “public nuisance,” adding new teen safeguards; Meta says it will appeal. Big national trial: Jury selection began in Oakland for a federal case where 29 states accuse Meta of designing Facebook/Instagram to addict minors and illegally collecting children’s data, with potential damages cited up to $1.4 trillion. Local accountability in NM: A Tucumcari daycare expansion opened a second Turquoise Child Development Center location, cutting the waiting list from 150 toward 100. Public safety dispute: Portales and Roosevelt County officials are at odds after records show deputies declined to respond to some calls. Housing pressure: A new report urges faster permitting to ease New Mexico’s housing shortage. Civic watch: New Mexico lawmakers discussed a possible 2027 statewide data-center moratorium amid Project Jupiter controversy.

Youth Tech Reckoning: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental health fund, calling Facebook/Instagram a “public nuisance” and ordering teen-focused safeguards; Meta says it will appeal. Legal Fallout for Big Tech: A separate report says an outside law firm could take up to $68 million from the New Mexico Meta verdicts under contingency caps. State Child Welfare Overhaul: House Democrats unveiled sweeping CYFD reform plans for the 2027 session, citing repeated failures and recent custody problems. Project Jupiter Watch: In Doña Ana County, commissioners approved a Project Jupiter community committee amid ongoing public anger; elsewhere, a hearing examiner shifted questions about a natural gas pipeline to later proceedings. Data Center Moratorium Push: Two Democratic lawmakers advanced a proposal to pause statewide data center development while guardrails are set. Local Accountability: Bernalillo County DA wants to exhume a veteran’s body at Santa Fe National Cemetery tied to a 2002 rape case. Scam Alerts: BBB Scam Tracker ranked New Mexico among states facing persistent fraud reports, with online purchase scams leading. UNM Sports: UNM released its 2026-27 Mountain West men’s basketball schedule, including a conference renewal opener at UTEP.

Meta Child-Safety Fallout: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a teen mental-health fund and branded the company’s platforms a “public nuisance,” adding new limits on teen accounts and notifications as Meta prepares to appeal. Courtroom Ripple Effects: A federal appeals court also cleared the way for thousands of social-media addiction lawsuits to move forward against Meta, TikTok, Google and others, rejecting early attempts to block the cases under Section 230. Local Wildfire Watch: Frijoles Fire surged past 4,000 acres in northern New Mexico, prompting evacuations in parts of Cundiyó and smoke advisories across the region. Higher Ed Investment: New Mexico announced $700 million for college and university infrastructure, funding labs, training facilities and campus upgrades statewide. Public Health Tech: A new dashboard tracks the spread risk of the New World screwworm across U.S. counties, supporting faster detection and response. Business & Community: Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort marked Route 66’s centennial with a classic car show, drawing dozens of vehicles and local pride.

Meta Child-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a teen mental-health fund and implement new safeguards, calling the company a “public nuisance” for harms tied to Facebook and Instagram. Tech Court Battles: A federal appeals court also cleared the way for thousands of “social media addiction” lawsuits against Meta, Google, TikTok and Snapchat, rejecting arguments that federal law blocks the cases. Local Courts: U.S. District Court in New Mexico will formally install veteran trial lawyer Phillip G. Sapien as a part-time magistrate judge on Aug. 14. Wildfire & Health: The Frijoles Fire surged past 4,000 acres, triggering evacuations and smoke advisories across northern New Mexico, with schools monitoring conditions. AI in Schools: New Mexico eased rules for an AI reading assessment after privacy concerns, letting some districts opt out of using the program for this school year. Federal Safety Probe: A New Mexico crash investigation highlights years of GPS-jamming warnings near White Sands Missile Range.

Meta Child-Safety Ruling: A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a children’s mental-health fund and labeled Facebook/Instagram a “public nuisance,” citing harm to teens; the order also requires major teen safeguards like tighter limits on under-13 accounts, changes to push notifications, and hiding “like” counts unless a guardian opts in. Meta’s Bigger Legal Fight: A federal appeals court let thousands of addiction-related social media lawsuits move forward, rejecting an early bid by Meta and other platforms to stop the cases. Colorado River Stress: Lake Mead hit its lowest level since it was filled nearly 90 years ago, underscoring how the drought-driven water squeeze could soon affect hydropower and supplies across the Southwest, including New Mexico. New Mexico Fire Update: The Frijoles Fire in Northern New Mexico grew to about 3,000 acres with no containment reported, with lightning cited as the cause and firefighters working to slow spread near Santa Fe. Local Culture: “Olmo,” a coming-of-age film shot in Las Cruces, opened nationwide and is drawing strong early reviews.